Thanks for the feedback everyone. I haven't investigated the diodes or voltage regulator and brushes, but to answer some questions:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orv
Does the alternator light come on when you turn on the key, before you start the car? If not, the bulb is burned out or you have a loose wire in the bulb circuit. The bulb provides the initial field current for the alternator; without it you will see either no charging or poor charging.
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The light with the battery symbol comes on, if that's what you mean.
Quote:
Originally Posted by leathermang
Take off the wires to the posts and clean them and the battery post...
It seems simple... but I had this happen to me lately ...and the battery top and wires looked nice... but had corroded just enough to not charge the battery properly...
Also check the grounding wires to the engine and the body... it has to get all around the circuit to work properly....
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Good call. The positive clamp was a bit rusty and corroded on the inside so I cleaned that, as well as the battery terminals. The cable seems a bit corroded where it meets the clamp, and I suspect there might be more corrosion in hard-to-clean areas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by patbob
Could the glowplugs be sticking on? I know the '80 diesels have relays that sometimes stick on and can cause what you are seeing, but I can remember if the '78s have relays.
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Interesting idea...the vacuum shutoff doesn't work, so is it possible there is something electrical tied to the shutoff system that prevents the glowplugs from turning off?